CHILDREN as young as four may have been sexually abused as part of football’s sickening scandal.

And the number of victims, clubs and suspects involved continues to rise.

Police chiefs revealed Operation Hydrant, the UK-wide investigation into non-recent child sexual abuse, was now looking into 148 clubs, with 155 potential suspects and 429 victims, aged between four and 20.

White said the FA was “showing a true duty of care to victims and to the current and future safeguarding of kids”.

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But there are fears football will not be able to cope with so many allegations — and the need to provide counselling.

Keith Best, chief executive of male rape and sexual abuse charity SurvivorsUK, said: “The least the clubs can now do is make arrangements with specialist organisations to provide counselling and support to those who will find if helpful.

“This is an investment, not only in those to whom a duty of care was owed, but also in society.”

Andy Woodward is still waiting to give police information about the alleged abuse he suffered as a junior player.